This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

Groundhog co-handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil after Phil did not see his shadow and predicting an early spring during the 127th Groundhog Day Celebration at Gobbler's Knob on Feb. 2, 2013. (Alex Wong / GETTY IMAGES FILE PHOTO)

By JOE MANDAKAssociated Press

Mon., March 25, 2013

PITTSBURGH— An Ohio prosecutor who has light-heartedly filed charges against the famous Pennsylvania groundhog who fraudulently “predicted” an early spring says he may consider a pardon now that the animal’s handler is taking the blame.

That’s right, Bill Deeley, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle says the animal rightly predicted six more weeks of winter but Deeley tells The Associated Press he mistakenly announced an early spring because he failed to correctly interpret Phil’s “groundhog-ese.”

Butler County, Ohio prosecutor, Mike Gmoser tells the AP he’s reconsidering the charges in light of the new evidence and may issue a full pardon.

The Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, a borough about 100 km northeast of Pittsburgh, attracts worldwide attention each year.

Article Continued Below

Deeley says the prosecutor’s indictment of Phil has generated more publicity than a $10,000 ad campaign.

More from the Toronto Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com